TAPAH: Barisan Nasional is confident that young voters will support the coalition in the upcoming Ayer Kuning by-election, says MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.
"I believe that the 14,000 young voters, the majority of whom will support the Barisan candidate, and I have asked the Barisan Youth wing to carry out activities throughout the month of Ramadan," he said.
Saravanan expressed confidence based on efforts over the past four general elections, where activities targeting the youth have been conducted since their schooling years.
"Fortunately, the Tapah Barisan youth wing has always organised activities for the youth here.
"This is the only constituency I can bravely mention where this is the only parliament that contributes to the younger generation at the school level, even as early as Form 5," he told reporters after the Tapah Barisan Nasional Committee Meeting on Monday (March 3).
Also present were Perak MCA chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Tapah Umno division chief Khairul Azmi Ghazali.
Saravanan, who is also the Tapah MP, said he is confident about securing Malay votes as they constitute about 60% of the constituency's voters.
"Looking at the past four general elections, Barisan has consistently received strong support from Malay voters.
"We cannot deny that without their support, this area would not have remained a Barisan stronghold.
"We have made significant contributions to all voters, including the Muslim community. Our engagement with them is not limited to election seasons—we have built strong and close ties with Malay voters as well as others.
"That is why I am confident we will once again receive the mandate from Malay voters," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Mah stated that the unity government is experienced and confident in facing the upcoming by-election.
"We will fully support the Barisan candidate selected by the party leadership. I believe the chosen candidate will be the most suitable one, fulfilling all the necessary criteria.
"I believe we are mature enough to know what needs to be done. This is not the first time we are facing such a situation — we have collaborated in several by-elections before," he added.
He said this when asked whether MCA would campaign alongside DAP in the constituency.
